Role Association in theatre.
- 1776 (1969, 46th Street Theatre, Broadway/movie): Mr. Feeny and the original Judd Fry try to get the thirteen American colonies to declare independence from England with help from a flamboyant Virginian Miles Gloriosus. Charlie Anderson causes trouble in the interest of slavery.
- (1997, Broadway revival): Data and Commissioner Gordon try to get the thirteen American colonies, ditto ditto, etcetera etcetera. Mr. Crisparkle causes trouble in the interest of slavery.
- (2016, Encores off-Broadway concert): Hans and Lionel Tribbey try to get the thirteen American colonies, ditto ditto, etcetera etcetera. Monty Navarro causes trouble in the interest of slavery.
- 8: A Play About The Fight For Marriage Equality
(2012, YouTube): Laurie Strode (who used to be all "What Is This Thing You Call "Love"? Seriously I think you might be overreacting") and "DA Lady Drunk" are a couple (the other couple is a gentleman thief and a music teacher); President Bartlett and Danny Ocean are anti-Prop. 8 lawyers who were on opposite sides of Bush V. Gore; a school bomber is a pro-Prop. 8 lawyer; Sue is an anti-gay marriage advocate and Kurt had to go to de-gaying therapy (it didn't take); Amos Hart is an incompetent anti-gay expert, as is Mr. Sulu; Mitchell is a more competent pro-gay expert; Lisa Simpson gets a bit flummoxed. Presiding over all this is (the supremely snarktastic) Judge Billy Beane. Based on true court testimony.- Broadway version: Ms. Sponder didn't know what all the fuss over love was about; Liberace's ex-lover wants to get married; Elder McKinley had to go to de-gaying therapy; "Meathead" (who helped start the lawsuit in real life) is incompetent; Kid Omega is slightly more competent, and Inspector Pate is supremely snarky.
- Plot twist: The judge was gay!
- Epilogue: Gay Weddings for Everyone in California!
- PS: the first incompetent anti-gay expert saw the error of his ways and became an equal rights advocate!
- Also: One year later: GAY WEDDINGS FOR AMERICA!!!!
- And just to be on the safe side Pres. Trump says "it's the law of the land" so no Diabolus ex Machina... hopefully.
- The Addams Family The Musical (2009 Broadway cast): Max Bialystock and his wife Dr. Lilith Sternin have to deal with their daughter's new boyfriend.
- American Idiot: Moritz is a very angsty teen. Again.
- Three Moritzes, in fact!
- Original Broadway Moritz & Original Broadway Johnny: John Gallagher Jr.
- Revival (Voice of) Moritz understudy & final Broadway Johnny: Van Hughes.
- Revival (Voice of) Moritz principal & national tour Johnny: Alex Boniello.
- His replacement was a bit of a basket case.
- Three Moritzes, in fact!
- Amadeus (1983, Broadway): Luke Skywalker is a young Austrian prodigy in music composition and at the piano, and it fuels the jealousy of an older composer, Gandalf.
- American Psycho 2013 Almeida Theatre: It's The '80s and The Eleventh Doctor wants to make a killing.
- Assassins (2004 Broadway Revival): Dr. Barney Stinson interviews a bunch of killers, including The Observer, and eventually, is brainwashed into becoming Lee Harvey Oswald.
- Amélie: A New Musical(TBA): Mrs. Hamilton is a benevolent manipulator.
- Beauty and the Beast (1994, Broadway): Rose Quartz goes looking for her missing father, Howard Cunningham, who mistakenly stumbled into a castle inhabited by the French-accented Roger De Bris, the stuffy King Sextimus, Mrs. Lovett, and her son Gavroche, who have all been turned into normally inanimate objects. It turns out the castle is owned by a reclusive cursed Rum Tum Tugger. Fred Graham is the villain who wants to marry Rose and later storms Tugger's castle.
- Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (2010, Broadway): Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a badass president.
- Bonnie and Clyde (2011, Broadway): Jack Kelly and Cinderella rob banks during the Great Depression.
- The Book of Mormon (2011, Broadway): Bryan and Olaf are a pair of terribly mismatched missionaries. With the voice of Stan Marsh.
- William Barfee is now a Mormon missionary who likes science fiction.
- Bye Bye Birdie:
- (original 1960 Broadway production): Bert and his girlfriend Anita arrange for superstar singer Rodimus Prime to kiss his adoring fan Luisa on TV as a publicity stunt before he joins the army. Templeton the rat is Luisa's exasperated father and Rose Brice is Bert's controlling mother.
- (1990 US tour): Tommy and his girlfriend Grace Farrell arrange for superstar singer Chauvelin to kiss his adoring fan Megara on TV as a publicity stunt before he joins the army. Rosalia is Tommy's controlling mother.
- (2009 Broadway revival): Uncle Jesse and his girlfriend Gladys Jones arrange for superstar singer Hunter Clarington to kiss his adoring fan Patrice on TV as a publicity stunt before he joins the army. Mr. Noodle is Patrice's exasperated father and the March family's housekeeper Hannah is Jesse's controlling mother.
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (original 1955 cast): Al Capone (and later McGarrett) won't have sex with Miss Ellie because of what happened to his friend. Things get complicated when they find out that Capone/McGarrett's father, Sam the Snowman, is dying of cancer.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- (2013, London) Albin takes five kids and their parents on a tour of his factory. The Wizard is the main character's grandfather.
- (2017, Broadway) Shakespeare takes five kids and their parents on a tour of his factory. Said children include Wendy and Hugo. Pippin is the main character's grandfather.
- Cinderella (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
- (original 1957 cast): Mary Poppins, who is treated cruelly by her stepsisters Kaye Buell and Esmerelda, goes to the ball thanks to her fairy godmother, Monica Crump.
- (1965 cast): Miss Scarlet, who is treated cruelly by her stepmother Kate Trask and stepsisters Ursula and Carrie, goes to the ball thanks to her fairy godmother, Ado Annie, and falls in love with Prince Craig Stirling, son of King Gruffydd and Queen Dale.
- (1997 Race Lift version): Moesha's evil stepmother Rita the cat won't let her go to the ball at Jack Bristow and Shenzi's palace, but thanks to her fairy godmother Rachel Marron, she goes anyway and falls in love with the King of Siam. George Costanza is the royal herald.
- Company (2013 concert): Barney, Alan, Peggy, Joan, Tiana, Mr. Noblet and more deal with being adults in New York.
- As does STE-PHEN! STE-PHEN! STE-PHEN!
- 2006 edition: ADA Barba has some issues with commitment.
- Death of a Salesman (2012, Broadway): A sleazy, doomed reporter takes his frustration out on his older son, Eduardo Parker.
- As do Juror #3 (1949, Broadway), General Patton (1974, Broadway), Benjamin Braddock (1984, Broadway), Truman Capote (2012, Broadway), and Dr. Emmett Brown (2010, Vermont). And Capote's son is Spider Man.
- Driving Miss Daisy (2010, Broadway): Darth Mufasa is oldest Briony's chauffeur.
- Eclipsed (2016, Broadway): Patsy Kanata is one of many women caught in a war. Written by Michonne.
- Elling (2010, Broadway): The King of Mississippi and George of the Jungle both fall for a ditzy manicurist.
- Equus (2007, Gielgud Theatre, London): Uncle Vernon tries to help Harry Potter after the latter blinds some horses out of... love?
- Farragut North (2009, Geffen Playhouse, LA): Capt. Kirk tries to politically outmaneuver Mr. Big.
- Fiddler on the Roof: Kehaar (Broadway, 1964) is a poor but honest Orthodox Jewish peasant in a Russian village, where Dorothy is the matchmaker and his eldest daughter marries Max. That is, when he isn't Dr. Otto Octavius/Dr. Octopus (2004, Broadway), who has Rachel Berry and Lucy Barker for daughters. Later in that same production's run, he became Yao, with Terk as his wife.
- Danny Boyle's Frankenstein (2011, London): Sherlock Holmes and Eli Stone are alternately a mad scientist and his creation and whoever's the monster opens the performance nude.
- God of Carnage (2009, Bernard B Jacob Theatre,Broadway): The Dude, Mrs. Carmody, Tony Soprano, and Mrs. Garfield (and at one point O-Ren Ishii)are two sets of parents who meet after their children get in a fight. The civilized meeting quickly turns into the verbal equivalent of Lord of the Flies (considering the two moms are from Stephen King movies and another is a Yakuza Queen what do you expect?).
- (2008, Gielgud Theatre, London) - The parents include Voldemort, Dr. Caroline, Mary, Queen of Scots and a loyal badger.
- Grease: (1972, Broadway): Brad Majors is a '50s Greaser Delinquent who has a romance with a "good girl," while Carol Traynor is a "bad girl" who has a Pregnancy Scare. Nicely-Nicely Johnson (1992 revival) is the high school's mooning champion.
- (1994, Broadway revival): The "bad girl" is Terk the gorilla, Karen Walker is a Gold Digger, and Fab G. is a Guardian Angel.
- Guys and Dolls (2009, Los Angeles): Capt. Archer lives in Gangster Land.
- (1992, Broadway): Timon needs to find a spot where he and his gang (including Terence Fletcher) can gamble without his fiancee, Ursula - on Broadway, at least - finding out. And Pumbaa plays with loaded dice.
- (2005-2007, London): Obi-Wan Kenobi is willing to bet on anything.
- (2016, London): Bing Bong bets Fiyero that he can't take a woman to Havana.
- Gypsy
- (1959, Broadway): Annie Oakley is a domineering stage mom. Oscar Madison is her agent and lover.
- (1973, London): Mrs. Potts is a domineering stage mom.
- (1989, Broadway): Mary Beth Lacey is a domineering stage mom.
- (2003, Broadway): Rita the cat is a domineering stage mom. Drew Jacobs is her daughter who becomes a famous stripper.
- (2008, Broadway): Fantine is a domineering stage mom. Baroness Elsa Schräder (2013 NBC version) is her daughter who becomes a famous stripper.
- (2015, London): Dolores Umbridge is a domineering stage mom. The Fifth Doctor is her agent and lover. Irene Adler gets naked. Again.
- Hamilton: Jack the lamplighter marries (musical) Amélie.
- Usnavi is our first Secretary of State. He is later killed by Peter Collier-Brandt in a duel. Depending on who you see, the king of England is either Matt Caroll, Kristoff, Elder Price, or Elder McKinley.
- (Broadway) Mufasa is the first President of the United States, and Nala is the oldest Schuyler sister.
- Hamlet (2008, Courtyard Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon): The Doctor suspects Captain Picard of murdering his father, and drives Sio Bibble's daughter mad.
- (2009, LA): Gigolo Joe suspects blah blah blah etc.
- (2010, Sheffield Crucible): The Master suspects blah blah blah etc. (No other cast member was announced as of this writing anyways)
- (2015, Barbican): Sherlock Holmes suspects blah blah blah etc.
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Alison Reynolds (off-Broadway), John Wilkes Booth (also off-Broadway), Dr. Blowhole, Elijah, Dexter, Blaine, and Benny (all Broadway, 2014-15) have been a transsexual German rock star. Some were married to Countess Coloratura/Rara.
- Herringbone (2009, Los Angeles): Captain Shang, Dr. Huang, Father Mukada, Song Liling, and Linus Van Pelt have issues with a suit. It's a one-man show
- The History Boys (2004, Royal National Theatre, London): Uncle Vernon and Madame Maxime are professors.
- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2011, Broadway): Harry Potter (previously Simba) climbs the corporate ladder any way he can.
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney) Hawkgirl is an travelling dancer who befriends a deformed Patrick while falling in love with El Mecanico.
- Into the Woods (1987, original Broadway cast): A massive fairytale crossover ensues as a result of a curse Rita the cat put on Howard the Duck's family.
- It's Only a Play: (2014, Broadway revival): Max Bialystock, Leo Bloom, Salieri, Tammy Swanson, and movie Rizzo wait to find out what Ben Brantley thought of the play Ron directed.
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (filmed version): Captain Li Shang (singing voice) is the favorite son of his father John Hammond, so his jealous brothers, including Bill Austin, Beadle Bamford and Armand Beauxhomme, sell him into slavery. Egyptian millionaire Harcourt buys him, but then throws him into jail after Edith Keeler tries to seduce him. But in jail, Shang accurately interprets the dreams of Prince Charles and Nero, which catches the attention of Pharaoh Kurt Martin, eventually leading to Shang saving all of Egypt and his family from a famine. Elaine Peacock narrates the whole story.
- The King and I:
- (original 1951 Broadway production): Amanda Wingfield comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with King Rameses II.
- (1953 London production): Elizabeth Frankenstein comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with King Charles Dreyfus.
- (film version): Terry McKay comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with King Rameses II.
- (1977 Broadway revival): Cathy comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with (again) King Rameses II.
- (1996 Broadway revival): Mother Gothel comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with King Ritchie Valens.
- (2000 London revival): Grizabella comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with King Mowgli.
- (2015 Broadway revival): Nellie Forbush comes to Siam to educate the royal children and develops a complex relationship with King Katsumoto.
- Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Broadway 2015, HBO 2016): The Beggar Woman drunkenly reveals way too much information about her life in one of her last performances.
- Lazarus (2015, don't bother it's already sold out): Dexter is an alien who's really old, really bored, and really sounds a lot like David Bowie.
- Les Misérables
- (1985, London): The ex-convict Phantom of the Opera (1989 Toronto) adopts Christine, the orphaned daughter of Yellow Diamond, while police inspector Illyrio Mopatis pursues him. Christine falls in love with Edna Turnblad, who belongs to a group of revolutionaries led by Judas Iscariot, and who is also loved by Dinah the Dining Car, daughter of the villainous Brian Lane and Jellylorum.
- (1987, Broadway): The ex-convict Phantom adopts Pocahontas, the orphaned daughter of Golde, while police inspector The Beast pursues him. Pocahontas falls in love with Mozart (Broadway understudy), who belongs to a group of revolutionaries led by Carl-Magnus, and who is also loved by Dinah, daughter of the villainous Apostle Nathaniel. LeFou is another revolutionary.
- (2006 Broadway revival): Ex-convict King George III (Chicago version) adopts Maria, the orphaned daughter of Mimi Marquez, while police inspector King Triton pursues him. Maria falls in love with Aladdin, who belongs to a group of revolutionaries led by Fabrizio, and who is also loved by Olive Ostrovsky, daughter of the villainous Lumiere and Mrs. Brill.
- (2014 Broadway revival): The ex-convict Phantom of ''Love Never Dies'' adopts Christine (instead of being her baby-daddy), the orphaned daughter of Queen Elsa, while police inspector Berger pursues him. Christine falls in love with Kyle Bishop, who belongs to a group of revolutionaries led by Harpo, and who is also loved by Nabulungi, daughter of the villainous Sawyer the zombie.
- Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert: Pocahontas falls for the guy Princess Jasmine (who is also Mulan) secretly loves. With special guest Chairman Kaga (he can sing French... in Japanese)!
- 25th Anniversary Concert: Eponine/Mulan is a surprise Fantine while Gavroche (Nick Jonas) is now Marius.
- The Little Mermaid (2007, Broadway): Christine Daae is a mermaid and Jafar is Prince Eric's advisor. Hmm...
- A Little Night Music (2010, Broadway): Mrs. Potts and Velma Kelly star.
- Little Shop of Horrors:
- (original 1982 off-Broadway production): Samuel Byck is a nerdy employee in a run-down flower shop owned by his foster father Uncle Joey, and secretly in love with his co-worker Vivian Charles. His life changes when he discovers Bleeding Gums Murphy and shows him off to the public, bringing the shop new fame and fortune. But to fuel his success, and to save Vivian from her abusive boyfriend Odan, he's forced to indulge Murphy's nonstop craving for human flesh.
- (2003 Broadway revival): Bobby Strong is a nerdy employee in a run-down flower shop owned by his foster father Amos Hart, and secretly in love with his co-worker Penny Pingleton. His life changes when he discovers Louis the alligator and shows him off to the public, bringing the shop new fame and fortune. But to fuel his success, and to save Penny from her abusive boyfriend Sir Percy Blakeney, he's forced to indulge Louis' nonstop craving for human flesh.
- (2019 off-Broadway revival): Kristoff Bjorgman is a nerdy employee in a run-down flower shop owned by his foster father Thénardier, and secretly in love with his co-worker Judy Garland. His life changes when he discovers Curtis and shows him off to the public, bringing the shop new fame and fortune. But to fuel his success, and to save Judy from her abusive boyfriend Prince Herbert, he's forced to indulge Curtis' nonstop craving for human flesh.
- Lombardi (2010, Broadway): A tough dad leads a legendary football team while his wife, an upperclass mom, keeps him steady and a short marine writes about them both.
- Look Back In Anger [-(1989, BBC)]: Madame Trelawney is ironing a shirt while Gilderoy Lockhart is reading a newspaper and discussing politics...
- Macbeth (RSC 1979): Emperor Palpatine hands the Scottish crown over to Gandalf, who murdered the previous king at the urging of his wife, M.
- M. Butterfly: Capt. Shang is a French dude's (Scar in the movie-version) idealized Oriental woman.
- Mary Poppins: (2004, London) Lucy Barker arrives at an English household and, with the help of Squidward, straightens out the lives of the broken family. Angelina is one of her young charges.
- (2006, Broadway) Belle arrives at an English household and, with the help of Squidward, straightens out the lives of the broken family. Maria Von Trapp is the mother of said household.
- (2019, London revival) Tantomile arrives at an English household and, with the help of Barnaby Tucker, straightens out the lives of the broken family.
- Moulin Rouge! (2019, Broadway): Enjolras meets Angelica Schuyler, who works as a courtesan in a night club run by Tevye, and falls in love with her. He woos her with the help of Fela Kuti and his friends, while trying to keep the jealous and clingy Javert away from her.
- The Motherfucker With The Hat (2012, Broadway): Marty the Zebra is a parole officer.
- The Producers (2001, St James Theatre, Broadway): Simba and Timon hatch a Batman Gambit to make money with a sure-fire failure, but things get complicated when they unexpectedly succeed. With added Poison Ivy, a brief glimpse of Captain Jack and a dropped cameo by Pumbaa in The Film of the Play.
- West End 2004: It's Ernie and Lars Smuntz's turn.
- Hollywood Bowl 2012: Molt the grasshopper and Mitchell (who hooks up with Mystique) find a sure-fire failure starring the Waffler.
- Promises, Promises (2010, Broadway): Galinda and Jack are a couple.
- The original movie: Shirley the Loon's namesake and the schlubby half of The Odd Couple are a couple.
- The original musical: Detective Lumiere and not Mrs. MacAllister are a couple.
- Rhinoceros (1961 New York version): Alvaro Mangiacavallo witnesses all of his friends transforming into rhinoceri.
- Romeo and Juliet:
- (2014 Broadway production): Legolas and Kate Sacker are Star-Crossed Lovers from Feuding Families.
- (2016 West End production): Cinderella and the Prince don't get to live Happily Ever After.
- The Seagull (2001 New York version): Margaret Thatcher is a Russian actress who visits the estate of her brother Nick Chevotarevich alongside her lover Stingo. Nick and the guests go to see a play written by Margaret's son Truman Capote starring Alice Ayres. Soon the lives of Margaret, Nick, Capote and Alice are intertwined in a complex web of love triangles affecting others such as Mike Papazian and James P. Sullivan.
- Six Degrees of Separation (2017 New York): C.J. Clegg and her husband befriend Dr. Dre.
- The Sound of Music (2013 TV version): Tiffany (late of Dr. Bennett's abbey) meets Bill Compton and his adorable children.
- (original 1959 Broadway production): Peter Pan (late of Lady Thiang's abbey) meets Tevye and his adorable children.
- (1998 Broadway revival): Winifred Banks (late of Christine Daaé's abbey) meets William Shakespeare and his adorable children.
- Spamalot (2005,Shubert Theatre, Broadway): Dr. Frank N. Furter, Abe Sapien, Lord Farquaad, and Moe the bartender (who was temporarily replaced by Wash) search for the Holy Grail with the help of Dr. Callie Torres.
- In the current LA run, J. Peterman is White Hair, Black Heart King Arthur.
- Spring Awakening: Jesse St. James, Jesus of Suburbia and Rachel Berry go through a ton of perfectly justified angst (and an unusual amount of awesome rock music) in 19th century Germany.
- In the revival: Directed by Quasimodo. Marius Pontmercy has a masturbation scene. The cast also includes Betty Pillsbury, Frollo, Ana Vargas, Delia Banks, Melody Bledsoe, and Matthew.
- Also involved Natalie, Silas Botwin, Craig Manning, Simon, and Tina Cohen-Chang at various times.
- A Steady Rain (2009, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, LA): Wolverine and James Bond are cops.
- A Street Car Named Desire (2009, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Harvey Theatre): Galadrial has to depend on the kindness of strangers (and a purportedly weak cast).
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979, Uris Theatre, Broadway): Jessica Fletcher is a Lethal Chef in several definitions of the word.
- Concert production (2001, Avery Fisher Hall, New York) : Eva Peron isn't a very good caregiver to Dr. Horrible.
- Concert production (2014 Lincoln Center, New York): Prof. Trelawney is a terrible cook and not very nice to poor old beggar-woman Bess.
- Mrs. Potts? What HAPPENED to you!?!?
- 2012 West End revival: Marius Pontmercy slashes English throats instead of shooting at Frenchmen, and Dolores Umbridge sells human pies.
- The Teahouse of the August Moon 1954 London and Broadway production: Spintho is an Okinawan.
- Terre Haute (2010, Los Angeles): B.J. Honeycutt and Hoyt Fortenberry are lawyer-friendly versions of Gore Videl and Timothy McVeigh.
- That Championship Season (2011, New York): Mr. Big, a father of multiples, and two vampire delinquents (one of whom became a secret agent) reunite with their ill coach, Col. Stryker. Written by (the son of?) The Exorcist (the younger one).
- 1982 film version: the real Seymour Skinner, a racist, Ellie's real-life dad, and Rotti Largo reunite with their ill coach, Harry Powell.
- TV movie version: Det. Goren, Det. Monk, and Det. Taylor reunite with their ill coach, Rotti Largo.
- Tootsie (2018 stage version): Prince Hans masquerades as a woman.
- A View From The Bridge (2010, Broadway): Sabertooth has uncomfortable feelings for his cousin Black Widow, but can you blame him?
- Waiting for Godot (2009,Theatre Royal Haymarket, London): Xavier and Magneto wait for someone who never arrives.
- (1988, Lincoln Center Theater, New York): Orin Scrivello and Parry wait for someone who never arrives.
- (1956, original Broadway production): The Cowardly Lion and Juror #4 wait for someone who never arrives.
- (1961, live American telecast): Pseudolus and the Penguin wait for someone who never arrives.
- Wicked (2003, Broadway): Queen Elsa learns to accept her uniqueness and is best frienemies with April Rhodes, while revolting against the totalitarian Emcee. Freddy Benson (stage version) is Elsa and April's mutual love interest, while Lady Kluck is the Emcee's Dragon.
- Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (2010, Broadway): Coalhouse Walker and Mrs. Lovett star.
- So do Alura Zor-El and Aldolfo.
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown:
- (1967, off-Broadway): Radar O'Reilly is a lovable little boy loser, whose fellow neighborhood kids include Fritz the Cat, his wife, and David Laughlin.
- (1999, Broadway): Mark Cohen and Glinda are siblings (made even more bizarre by the fact that Maureen is Elphaba), Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is their dog, and their friends include a Beethoven-loving Banzai the hyena, a crabby yoga teacher, and her security blanket-toting brother Captain Li Shang.
